Sprinkler head signaling attachment



March 28, 1939.

c. R. MURRAY. SR

SPRINKLER HEAD SIGNALING ATTACHMENT Filed May 18, l93'7 awe who! C/zarles 1 Murray in Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES I SPRINKLER HEAD SIGNALING ATTACHMENT Charles R. Murray, Sr., San Francisco, Calif.

Application May 18, 1937, Serial-No. 143,365

. 2 Claims.

This invention relates to sprinkler heads used in connection with automatic sprinkler systems or fire extinguishers.

- The primary object of the invention is the provision of means employed in connection with the sprinkler heads of an automatic sprinkler system, which will automatically sound an alarm and at the same time indicate, through an enunciator, the location of the sprinkler head or heads which have been operated to release water to extinguish a fire.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signaling device of this character which may be readily and easily mounted on the usual sprinkler head of an automatic fire extinguishing system, without the necessity of making alterations in the general construction of the sprinkler head, to install the device. With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination'and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter describedand claimed, it being understoodthat changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a sprinkler head with which a signaling device constructed in accordance with the invention, is used.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an elevational view illustrating the signaling device as operated to complete the circuit to the signal and enunciator. 40 Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 designates a water pipe, forming a part of the usual automatic fire extinguishing system now in common use. The reference character 6 designates a union employed in securing a sprinkler head of the system, within the pipe line.

The sprinkler head includes a base 1 formed with a threaded portion screwed into the union 6, as clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawing. The reference character 8 designates a substantially circular supporting member, that rises from the base, and provides a support for the dome-shaped head, which is supported directly above the outlet opening of the base I, so that water passing upwardly through the base I, will strike the dome-shaped head. This dome-shaped head 9, is formed with a plurality of openings, so that the water striking the head, will be formed into a fine spray, to be distributed over a large area.

Extending through the dome-shaped head, is a screw II], which screw engages the upper arm II, that rests against the arm- I2, the arms being secured together, by means of the bar I3, which is held into engagement with the arms II and I2, by means of fusible metal.

The lower arm I2 rests against the cap I4, which is shown as closing the discharge opening of the base I, under normal conditions.

The signaling device, which forms the essence of the present invention, embodies a plurality of spring arms I5, which are secured to the base I, by means of the bolt I6, which is shown as extending through aligning openings in the spring arms I5, and through an opening formed in the insulating block H, which insulates the spring arms I5, from the base or body portion of the sprinkler.

Screws indicated by the reference character I8 secure the insulating block I! to the body portion 1, as clearly shown by the drawing.

Under normal conditions, the spring arms I5 are so constructed that they will move into engagement with the head II], but in use, are held in spaced relation with the head I0, by means of the member l9, which is constructed of insulating material, and which is held in position against the inner ends of the arms II and I2, by the pressure exerted thereon, by the spring arms I5.

The bolt I6 provides a means of connection for the wire 20 which is in circuit with the source of electricity supply indicated by the reference character 2|. The screw I I, also provides a means of connection between the wire 22 and the head I0, the wire 22 having connection with the usual enunciator mechanism, contained in the enunciator 23. The circuit to the enunciator mechanism of the enunciator 23, is completed through the wire 24, to the audible signal 25, while .the return wire to the source of electricity supply is indicated by the reference character 26. It will of course be understood that in the usual fire extinguisher of the automatic sprinkler type, a great number of these sprinkler heads are employed and each sprinkler head will be in circuit with the enunciator in such a way that with the operation of any one of the sprinkler heads, a signal will be displayed by the enunciator 23, in-

dicating which sprinkler head or heads, have been placed in operation.

In the operation of the device, assuming that the heat from a fire has destroyed the fusible metal securing the bar l3 to the arms ll and I2, it is obvious that the arms will be released, and forced from their positions between the head It] and cap M, by the action of the spring arms I5, pressing against the member l9. It follows that as the arms II and 12 move from their positions, the spring arms l5 will move to a position to engage the head In, as shown by Figure 4 of the drawing, completing the circuit to the enunciator associated therewith, and at the same time operating the audible signal 25, indicating that a fire has started. 7

The attendant may immediately, by consulting the enunciator, locate the exact positionof the fire to facilitate the fighting of the fire.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a sprinkler head, a tubular base secured in a water-pipe line, a cap normally closing the upper end of the base, aci-ncu-lar supporting member rising from the base, a head secured to--the circular supporting member directly over the upper end of the base, a ,pair :of arms having their adj acent'side edges contacting, a screw extending through the head and engaging one of said arms, the opposite arm resting against the cap holding the cap in place, a bar secured to the outer ends of the arms and held in position by fusible metal, a spring arm, a member disposed between the spring arm and inner ends of the first mentioned arms urging the first mentioned arms laterally when the fusible metal melts, releasing said first mentioned arms and cap whereby water is released to the head.

2. In a sprinkling head, a body portion comprising a pipe secured in a water-pipe line, a cap closing one end of the body portion, a supporting member rising from the pipe, a pair of separable arms having their inner longitudinal edges contacting, one. of saidarms engaging the cap, the opposite arm engaging the supporting member holding the cap in position, a bar secured to the outer ends of the arms by fusible metal, said bar holding the outer ends of the arms together, resilient means for exerting pressure against the inner ends of the arms in a direction longitudinal thereto, and adapted to force ithe'pair of arms from their positions on the sprinkler head when the fusible metal is burned, releasing the cap whereby water is released to the sprinkler head.

CHARLES R. MURRAY, SR. 

